Studies Validate Smoke–Free Medical Marijuana

Vaporization Avoids Exposure to Contaminants in Smoke; Associated With
Reduced Respiratory Symptoms

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Two new studies, one from the University
of California, San Francisco, and the other from the University at
Albany, State University of New York, provide strong evidence that
technology now allows medical use of marijuana with the rapid action
and easy dose adjustment of inhalation, but without the respiratory
hazards associated with smoking. This is considered highly important,
as the risks associated with smoke inhalation have been cited by both
government officials and independent experts as a major argument
against medical marijuana.

The San Francisco study, conducted by Dr. Donald Abrams and colleagues
at UCSF and just published online by the journal Clinical Pharmacology
and Therapeutics, compared a commercially available vaporizer called
the Volcano to smoking in 18 volunteers. The subjects inhaled three
different strengths of marijuana either as smoked cigarettes or
vaporized using the Volcano. Unlike smoking, a vaporizer does not burn
the plant material, but heats it just to the point at which THC and
the other active components, called cannabinoids, vaporize. The vapors
are collected in a detachable plastic bag with a mouthpiece for
inhalation. The researchers then measured the volunteers' plasma THC
levels and the amount of expired carbon monoxide (CO), which is
considered a reliable marker for the unwanted combustion products
contained in smoke.

The two methods produced similar THC levels, with vaporization
producing somewhat higher levels, and were judged equally efficient
for administration of cannabinoids. The big difference was in expired
CO. As expected, there was a sharp increase in CO levels after
smoking, while "little if any" increase was detected after
vaporization. "This indicates little or no exposure to gaseous
combustion toxins," the researchers wrote. "Vaporization of marijuana
does not result in exposure to combustion gases, and therefore is
expected to be much safer than smoking marijuana cigarettes."

A second study, by Dr. Mitch Earleywine at the University at Albany,
State University of New York and published in the Harm Reduction
Journal, involved an Internet survey of nearly 7,000 marijuana users.
Participants were asked to identify their primary method of using
marijuana (joints, pipe, vaporizer, edibles, etc.) and were asked six
questions about respiratory symptoms. After adjusting for variables
such as age and cigarette use, vaporizer users were 60 percent less
likely than smokers to report respiratory symptoms such as cough,
chest tightness or phlegm. The effect of vaporizer use was more
pronounced the larger the amount of marijuana used.

"Our study clearly suggests that the respiratory effects of marijuana
use can be decreased by use of a vaporizer," Earleywine said. "In
fact, because we only asked participants about their primary means of
using marijuana, it's likely that people who exclusively use
vaporizers will get even more benefit than our results indicate,
because no doubt some in our study used vaporizers most of the time
but not all of the time."

"Ten years ago, the Institute of Medicine's landmark, White
House-commissioned report found that marijuana has medical value,"
said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in
Washington, D.C. "In its report, the Institute of Medicine also called
for the development of a non-smoked delivery system before making
medical marijuana widely available. Now that we have such a delivery
system, the prohibitionists' final arguments against medical marijuana
have been reduced to rubble."

The Earleywine study is available online at
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/pdf/1477-7517-4-11.pdf.
Copies of the Abrams study are available by e-mail from MPP director
of communications Bruce Mirken, Bruce@... or 415-668-6403.

With more than 21,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers
nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana
policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the
best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate
marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please
visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.

REFERENCES:

Abrams DI et al. Vaporization as a Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System:
A Pilot Study. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2007, Apr 11; [Epub ahead of print].

Earleywine M and Barnwell SS. Decreased Respiratory Symptoms in
Cannabis Users Who Vaporize. Harm Reduction Journal. 2007, 4:11.

Date: 4/18/2007


http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=3790475

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